Kerf cutting means



April l, 1947. L. E." SIMMONS 2,418,199

KERF CUTTING IEANS Filed Oct. 2. 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet l L. Ef. SIMMONS KERF CUTTING' UEANS Filed Oct. 2, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Apr Vl, 1947. L. E. s lMMoNs 2,418,199

KERF CUTTING MEANS v Filed oci. 2, 194:5 s sheets-sheet s any;

-Patented Apr. 1,11947` KERF CUTTING MEANS Leon E. Simmons, Claremont, N. H., assigner to Joy Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October-,2, 1943, Serial No. 504,661)

15 Claims.

l This invention relates to kerf cutting means and more particularly to an improved mining machine cutter bar and cutter chain construction,

yespecially designed for use in the cutting of coal.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved kerl cutting means of a novel construction. Another object Ais to provide a cutter chain of an improved design. A further object is to provide an improved cutter bar having novel guiding means-for the cutter chain. Yet another object is to provide an improved cutter chain having improved interlocking connections between the chain blocks and the strap links for holding the same in operative assembled relation. A further object is to provide an improved chain block and strap link structure for a cutter chain. Other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

TheV application is a continuation-impart of my copending application Serial No. 472,281, iiled January 13, 1943, now matured into Patent No. 2,404,540, patented July 23, 1946.

' In the accompanying drawings there are shown for purposes of illustration several forms which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary' plan view of a cutter bar. and cutter chain constructed in-accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

, Fig. 2 is a view in central longitudinal vertical section taken substantially'on line 2-2 of Fig. l.V

Fig. 3 is a detail cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is al detail plan view illustrating the manner of detaching the strap links from two adjacent chain blocks.

Fig. 6 is a perspective viewpf the improved chain block.

Figs. 7 and 8 are perspective views respectively of a. pair of cooperating strap links.

Fig. 9 is across sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 isa `perspective lview of one of the strap links shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is aside elevational view of a section of a cutter chainv constructed in accordance withl another form of the invention'.

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional View taken substan tiauy on une lf2- l2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a view in longitudinal' vertical section, with parts in elevation, taken substantially online Il--I3 ofFig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view taken sub- .stantially on line II-II of Fig. 11.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged perspective view yof the chain block shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 16 is a detail side View illustrating still another form of the invention. Fig. 17 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line I'I-I'I of Fig. 16.

In the illustrative form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, the improved cutter chain generally designated I, which is of the outside running type, is vguided for circulation about the margin of a cutter bar generally designated 2 of an improved design. The cutter bar comprises top and bottom plates 3 and 4 suitably secured together and having fixed therebetween along the parallel sides thereof plates 5 each provided with a relatively narrow outer guiding flange 6. Ar-

ranged between the plates l3 and 4 and journaled of ,the cutter bar.l

on a bearing sleeve 1 supported by cooperating inwardly directed, circular portions 8 on the plates is a roller guide member 9. This roller guidehas an annular hub portion I0 which surrounds the bearing sleeve and to which is secured by rivets II` a relatively narrow radial flange portion I2. The peripheral portion of the flange portion I2 of the roller guide is of the same cross sectional contour as the outer flange portions -6 of the plates 5 so that the cutter chain, as it is Aguided about the margin of the cutter bar, may

move along vthe parallel sides and around the curved endof the bar. Wear plates I3. are secured to the inner; sides of the plates 3 and 4, as shown in Fig. 2, to provide lateral bearing surfaces for the inner portion of the roller guide. The circular portions B of the bar plates il` and 4 are rigidly secured in abutting relation by screws It and the plates have inwardly directed annular portions I5 which surround the outer portion of the. roller hub Ill in close adjacency to the opposite side surfaces of the roller.

The improved cutter chain I includes chain blocksv I6 pivotally connected at I1 to straplinks I8. The strap links are of the "gibless type and engage at their inner sides the outer sides of the bar anges 6 and the roller ange I2. The chain `blocks have parallel side portions I9, I9 which straddle the strap links, and the blocks are formed with inner arcuate guide surfaces 20 engageable with the peripheral edge 2| of the guide roll asthe chain passes around the, curved end v The strap links have outwardly' directed trunnions 22 which project within transverse Ybores 23 in the parallel side '-55 portions 19,19 of the chain blocks. The strap links have outwardly directed, rectangular projections 24l midway between their ends and at their outer sides, which are arranged between adjacent chain blocks and which are arcuately notched or grooved at 25 at their opposite sides. The ends ofthe side portions I9, I9 of thechain blocks are cut away at 26 to provide relatively narrow arcuate flanges 21 which project within the slots 25 in the strap link projections in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 4, when the strap links and blocks are in operative assembled relation. `When the chain blocks are swung into `a. predetermined relation, 'as shown in Fig. 5,y the flanges 21 on the side portions of the chain blocks move out of interlocking relationwith the projection-slots 25 sov that the link trunnions 22 may be moved inwardly out of the block bores, thereby to enable ready detachment of the links from the blocks. Each chain block has a lateral lug 28 provided with a right angle socket 29 for receiving the shank of a conventional cutter bit 30. A set screw 3| threaded within an opening 32'at the forward side of the c hain block lug engages the bit shank for holding the bit in cuti ting position on the block.

In the modified embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the improved cutter chain generally dest ignated 33 is likewise of the so-called outside running type` and is guided for circulation about the margin of a cutter bar generally designated 34. The chain blocks and strap links of the cutter chain are essentially the same as those described above and similarly have a releasable interlocking connection 25, 21 between the strap links and the blocks.- InI this modified construction the strap links are designated 35 and have inwardly directed gibs 36 receivable in the external guideways of the cutter bar. The cutter bar includes a bar-member 31 having a relatively narrow marginal ange 38 to which suitable wear plates 39 are secured. These wear plates provide bodiment above descr bed, the adjacent chain blocks may be swung into a predetermined relation relative to the connecting strap links to bring the flanges 55 out of interlocking relation with the projections'slots 53 to' enablerelease of the strap links from the blocks. When the parts are thus positioned the trunnions 56 may be readily removed laterally from the lug bores 51.

In the form shown in Figs. 16 and 11, a modi fled pivot structure betweenithe strap links and blocks is provided. The interlocking connections between the blocks and strap links are the same as those shown in Fig. 14. In this modified construction the inwardly directed trunnions on the strap links are omitted and in their places are provided separate hinge pins 60 formed with i polygonal shaped reduced end portions 6I fitting in correspondingly shaped openings 62 in the 'strap links. The hingepins have enlarged cylindrie portions 63 intermediate the reduced end portions, `and the portions 63 provide shoulders 64 engaging the inner surfaces of the strap links for -precluding unintentional endwise Adisplacement of the pins. Surrounding the portions 63 and tted in` bores 65 in the blocks are wear i y bushings 66. 'The polygonal portions 6| fitted in the polygonal openings in the strap links pre-Y vent rotation of the hinge pins with respect to ythe links. As in the embodiments above described, when the blocks are swung into apredetermined relation with respect to the strap links the interlocking connections between the blocks and links are released, thereby to enable lateral guiding surfaces for the cutter chain externally of the cutter bar. Otherwise this embodiment of the invention is similar to that above described.

In the modified embodiment shown in Figs.

4I (Fig. 12) of a conventional design. '.The cutter chain includes a series of chain. blocks 42 pivotally connected at 43 to strap links 44. The strap links have lateral gibs 45 receivable in the internal cutterI bar guideways 46 in a Couven-f tional manner. Each chain block has a lateral lug 41 provided with a right angle socket 48 for .receiving thev shank of a conventional cutter bit 49. A set screw threaded within an opening withdrawal of the links from the hinge pins. Otherwise this form of the invention is similar to those above described.

As a result of this invention, it, will be noted that an improved kerf cutting means is provided having an improved cutter chain and cutter .bar

structure. It will further be noted that by the provision of the improved chain block and strap link structure having improved interlocking con--y nections between .the links and blocks the same are positively locked together when in operative v assembled relation, and may be readily disassembled simply by swinging the chain blocks into a l predetermined relation relative to the strap links.

5| at the forwardside of the chain block lug engages the bit shank for holding the bit in cutting position on the block. The strap links 44 have midway between their ends inwardly directed rectangular projections 52 arranged between adjacent chain blocks and these projections are arcuately slotted or notched at 53 at their opposite sides. The` ends of the base portions of the chain blocks are central1y cut away at 54 yto provide spaced arcuate side flanges 55 received in theprojection-slots when the blocks and strap links are in assembled relation. The

strapl links havev inwardly directed trunnions 56 received in transverse bores 51 in the chain block; and the interlocking connections provided by the flanges 55'and projection-slots 53`serve to hold the trunnions in position. As in the emj- .scope of the appended claims.

Also by the provision of the improved roller guide structure of the cutter bar, the cutter chain is guided about the outencurved end of the cutter bar in 'an improved manner. Other uses and advantages of 'the invention will -be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

' While there are in this application specically described several forms which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms ofthe -s'ame are shown: for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be further modied and embodied in 'various other forms without departing from its spirit or the What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Ina cutter chain, a seriesV of chain blocks pivotally connected by strap links, said strap links having projecting trunnions received intransverse bores in the blocks, and means for detachably interlocking said blocks and strap links 't0' hold said trunnions in saidblock bores compris` ing lateral projections on said strap links vai'- ranged between adjacent chain blocks between the lateral limits of the latter', said projections being arcuately slotted at their opposite sides, and

said vblocks having arcuate end flangesspaced ceived in transverse bores in the blocks, and

means for detachably interlocking said blocks and strap links to hold said trunnions in said block bores comprising outwardly directed lateral projections on said strap links arranged between adjacent chain blocks, said projections being arcuately slot-ted at their opposite sides, and said blocks having arcuate end anges received inthe projection-slots.

3. In a'cutter chain, a series of chain blocks pivotally connected by strap `link-s, said strap links having inwardly projecting trunnions received in transverse bores in the blocks, and means for detach-ably interlocking said blocks and strap links to hold 'said trunnions in said block bores comprising inwardly directed lateral projections on said strap links arranged between adjacent chain blocks, said projections being arcuately slotted at their opposite sides, and said blocks having arcuate end ilanges received in the projection-slots.

4. Ina cutter chain, a series of chain blocks pivotally connected by strap links, said chain blocks having parallel side .portions between which said strap' links project, said links having outwardly directed trunnions received in transverse bores in said side portions of said chain blocks, and means for interlocking said chain blocks and strap links to hold said trunnions in said bores comprising lateral projections on said strap links arranged vbetween adjacent chain blocks, said projections being arcuately slotted'at their opposite sides, and said chain blocks having arcuate end flanges received in the projectionslots.

5. In a cutter chain, a series of chain blocks v strap links for holding said links against-lateral.

pivotally connected by strap links, said strap pivotally connected by `strap links disposed at the outer sides of the Iblocks. said Cstrap links having inwardly directed trunnions received in transverse bores in the blocks, and means for inter-` locking said blocks and links together to hold said trunnions in said bore'scomprising inwardly directed projections on said links disposed in abutting relation and arranged between adjacent blocks, said projections being arcuately slotted at their opposite sides, and said/ chain blocks' being centrally cut away to provide relatively narrow side flanges received in the projection-slots.

8. In a cutter chain, series of chain blocks pivotally connected by strap links, and means for detachably securing said blocks and links in operative assembled relation including slotted projections on` said links'- within the lateral limits of said blocks, and arcuate anges on said blocks spaced inwardly of their outer sides and received in the projection-slots.

g 9. In a cutter chain, 'a seriesof chain blocks pivotally connected by strap links, said links having projecting trunnions received in transverse bores in the blocks, said blocks having parallel side portions located at the outer sides of said separation, and means for interlockingly connecting said blocks and links to hold said trunnions in said bores including slotted projections onA said strap links and arcuate flanges on saidblocks received in the projection-slots. i

10. In a cutter chain, a series vof chain'blocks pivotally connected by strap links, said blocks having plane inner surfaces and said links having projecting trunnions received in transverse bores in the blocks, and means for interlockinglyconnecting said blocks and links to hold said trunnions in said bores including slotted projections on said strap links and arcuate flanges on said blocks received in the projection-slots, said projections having straight parallel sides and said blocks being swingable into a predetermined rela-'- tion with respect to the links to bring the arcuate flanges out of the 4projection-slots and to bringV said plane surfaces of the blocks into parallelism with the straight sides of said projections thereby to enable removal of the link trunnions from the to provide relatively narrow side flanges received in the projection-slots. 6. In a cutter chain, a series of chain blocks pivotally connected by strap links, said blocks having plane inner surfaces and said strap links having projecting trunnions received in transprojection-slots, two adjacent blocks being swingable into a predetermined relation relative tol their connecting strap links to move said arcuate flanges out of the projection-'slots and to bring the plane surfaces of said blocks into parallelism Y l with the straight sides of said projections thereby to enable release of the link trunnions from the block bores.

7.` In a cutter chain, a series of chain blocks f block bores.

Ameans for interlockingly connecting said blocks and links including overlapping interlocking portions on said blocks and links Within the lateral limits,I of said blocks with said portions of said l blocks spaced inwardly from their outer sides.`

12.- In a cutter chain, a series of chain blocks pivotally connected by strap links, said links being arranged at the outer sides of said blocks, and

means for interlockingly connecting said blocksand links including overlapping linterlocking portions on said blocks and links respectivelyadjacent the ends of said blocks and adjacent the` longitudinal centers vof said links, said blocks being `swingable into a predetermined relation with respect to said linksv to move said-overlapping portions out of interlocking relation;

13. In a cutter chain, a series of chain block elements pivotally connected .by strap link elements, and hinge Aconnections between said elements each including a hinge pin having a cylindric portion extending through an opening inA one-,ot said elements and having lreduced polygonal shaped end portions fitted in correspondingly shaped openings in said other element.

' 14. In a cutter chain, a series of chain block elements pivotally connected by strap link elements, hinge connections between said elements each including a hinge pin having a. cylindric portion extending through an opening in one of said elements and having reduced polygonal shaped end portions fitted in correspondingly shaped openings in saidother element, and. inter-y locking connections between said elements for holding said reduced end portions in their openings.

'.15. In a cutter chain, a series of chain blocks pivotally connected by strap links and each including a bit-supporting portion, and means for detachably securing said blocks and links in operative assembled relation including slotted projections on said links and arcuate flanges on s aid blocks received in the slots in said projections, said projections disposed between the lateral limits o! said chain blocks, and said anges and said slotted projections each having a surface thereon parallel to and coacting with an opposed and ilanges from separation, all o! said 'surfaces disposed between the lateral limits of said chain blocks.

- LEON E. SIMMONS..

REFERENCES crrEn The following references are of ,record in the le of this patent:

n UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,204,344 Doberstein June 11, 1940 2,214,644 Stenger et al. Sept. 10, 1940 1,932,187 Radius Oct. 2 4, 1933 2,304,505 Morrow Dec. 8, .1942 v 1,808,236 Lerner ...f June 2, 1931 '762,335 Morris June 14, 1904 2,324,033 Simmons July 13, 1943 1,023,549 Buttner et al. Apr. 16, 1912 1.508.854

Nicholson Sept. 16. 1924 

